Obasan The Silence of a Stone
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Obasan is a brilliant narrative that illustrates the life of a Japanese- Canadian girl during World War II. Throughout the novel we see the prejudices and unjust treatment that Japanese-Canadians were forced to endure, due to the fears brought as a result of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They were forced to move from their homes, taking only necessities and leaving their possessions behind. Separated from family, they were thrown into a living space meant for two, but containing seven. The bond of trust broken between citizens and their country has not healed over time and continues into the next generation. Obasan has often been described as being a novel about silence. It has silent characters, such as Naomi, Obasan, and Uncle. As the main character, Naomi, grows to adulthood, we are shown the psychological effects of her experiences. She is silent and withdrawn. However, the novel is also about a lack of silence; the lack of silence shown by the character of Aunt Emily...